Gimme, Gimme

 Bible Reading:  Hebrews 6:11-20

Key Verse: Verse 12 – “That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” 

Key Words: That ye be not slothful

We live in a day of slothfulness, slothful minds and bodies.  This is due to any number of things, one of which is the internet, quick access with little effort of the mind required.  Another is the television which again requires not much effort of mind or body.  We live in a day when people want to know, what’s in it for me?

When Roy C. Delamotte preached before a group of college youth in Augusta, Georgia, he preached the shortest sermon on record; however, he did have a rather long topic.  It was “What does Christ answer when we ask: Lord, what’s in it for me?”  “Nothing!”  The complete content of his message was one word.  The sermon was meant for people brought up in today’s generation of gimme, gimme (give me, give me).  When Delamotte was asked how long it took to prepare the message, he replied, “Twenty years.”

The reason for the gimme, gimme generation is a lack of spiritual maturity.  James tells us when a person matures spiritually, they want nothing!  “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”  [James 1:4]

It’s no strange sight to see a baby crying saying, “I want, I want!”   But it’s quite a sight to behold when you see 20, 30, 40, and even 50 and 60 year-old babies!

                                                                                             Dr. Mike Rouse

What to do:

✞ Put away childish things.

✞ Labor for the Lord.

✞ Grow in His grace.

✞ You’ll know when you have matured, you’ll lose the “gimme’s.”

The Labor of Love

 Bible Reading:  Hebrews 6:1-10

   Key Verse: Verse 10 – “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”

Key Words: labour of love

Hebrews, chapter six, has been used by some to teach that we can lose our salvation which is not the case at all.  Paul is encouraging the Hebrew believers to move on past and leave behind the “principles of the doctrine of Christ.”  The word principle means the beginnings and to move on to perfection (spiritual maturity).  The Hebrew believers were clinging to some of the old Judaic practices which were hindering their spiritual growth (verse 1).  Paul goes on to tell them we don’t labor because we have to; we labor for God because we want to.  It’s a labor of love and this kind of labor has a great impact for Christ in the lives of others (verse 10).

Judge Frank Ryburn of Dallas tells about the death of a prominent and benevolent citizen of his city.  Judge Ryburn said that after his funeral service he stood outside the home beside an aged black servant.  It took three trucks to carry the flowers all of his friends had sent.  As they watched the wreaths being loaded for transfer to the cemetery the judge remarked, “My, he sure has a lot of flowers, doesn’t he?”

The old servant thought for a minute, then answered, “Yassuh, but you know, he been planting the seeds for them flowers for a long time.”

 

                                                                                                        Dr. Mike Rouse

What to do:

✞ Plant the seeds of the gospel in the lives of others, and then it will grow.

Because Of Love

 Bible Reading:   Deuteronomy 6:1-15

   Key Verse: Verse 5 – “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”

Key Words: with all thine heart

One of the key elements to a life of laboring for God is loving God with all our heart, for it is then and only then that we will do whatever is necessary to accomplish God’s will.

Michael Jordan is truly one of the best basketball players of all time.  Raw talent is a major contributing factor to the superstar’s success, but what should not be overlooked is his work ethic on the practice court.  In his autobiography, Rare Air: Michael on Michael, Jordan shared an insight he gleaned from the Olympics.  “I saw some Dream Teamers dog it in practice before the Olympics.  I looked at them, and I knew that’s what separates me from them.”

• Michael Jordan would practice free throws by taking 1,000 free throws everyday (except on game day), even during the off-season.
• He would run five to ten miles everyday.
• He would practice against the very best players he could find.
• He would practice until he had made one hundred three-pointers and would do this daily.
• He lifted weights daily.
• All in all, he would work out eight to ten hours a day, seven days a week.

So you want to be like Mike?  It’s going to take a lot of labor.

When Michael Jordan was asked why he works so hard at basketball, he said, “Because I love the game.”  Maybe that’s it.  Maybe we don’t labor for God as we should because we don’t love Him as we should.  Just a thought.

 

                                                                                                            Dr. Mike Rouse

What to do: 

✞ Remember, success comes through hard work.

Can't Or Won't

 Bible Reading: Philippians 4:13-23

Key Verse: Verse 13 - “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Key Words: I can

No offense intended but this devotion is not for everyone.  Normally I do not restrict my words to any specific group, but today in this devotion I am!!  This devotion is for the saved only, those who are born again.  If that’s not you then this devotion is not for you because you are lacking a major ingredient to carry out what we are going to write about.  That ingredient is the power of God. Non-Christians are simply unable to choose righteous paths consistently.  Now then, if you know Jesus as your Savior you need to lose one word from your vocabulary: the word “can’t.”  Let me show you what I am talking about.

Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”  Let me give you another verse.  II Corinthians 12:9, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”  And another, I Corinthians 10:13,  “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

Now hold on a minute, did you read every word?  Do you get the idea that God has given you the power to accomplish His will for your life?  Let me just be very plain.  It all comes down to two words, “can’t” or “won’t.”  It seems that we prefer the word “can’t.”

• I can’t get along with my spouse.
• I can’t forgive.
• I can’t control my temper.
• I can’t make it to church every service.
• I can’t be on time.
• I can’t control my body.
• I can’t control my appetite.

“Can’t” gives you an excuse, a way out, it soothes the conscience; but it is really a lie.  You can, so why not tell the truth?

• I won’t get along with my spouse.
• I won’t forgive.
• I won’t control my temper.
• I won’t make it to church every service.
• I won’t make it on time.
• I won’t control my body.
• I won’t control my appetite.

 I wish I could find a better way to communicate this; but I just can’t, oops, won’t.  Now, go out and have some self-control by God’s power

                                                                                                        Dr. Mike Rouse

What to do:

✞ Go out and labor for God, because you can.

Soft And Flabby

 Bible Reading: Matthew 9:27-38

Key Verse: Verse 37 – “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;”

   Key Words: but the labourers are few

The reason there are so few laborers in God’s field is because it is hard work!  But the rewards of laboring are well worth the effort.

Robert Hastings tells the following story that so amply illustrates the reward of laboring in God’s field.

“A friend of mine, Milo B. Arbuckle, likes to hunt and fish in the Rockies.  His jeep often takes him off the beaten paths to where the mountain streams are clearest and the game most plentiful.  His specialty is trout, including the rainbow, native, German-brown, and cutthroat.

“One of his favorite haunts is about 10,000 feet up in the mountains, where the Rio Grande starts its long, winding descent through Colorado, New Mexico, then slices Texas from Mexico, before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico.

“‘The best trout are up there,’ Milo boasts.  ‘It is the nature of trout constantly to move upstream.  The weaker and diseased fish are swept downstream.  Only the strongest eventually reach the top, where the water is clearest and coldest.’

“Milo can judge a fish that has struggled upstream, for it is firmer and more muscular.  He easily spots a hatchery-bred trout, because it is soft and flabby.

“I thought of the hymn ‘Higher Ground.’  It is the nature of a growing Christian to swim upstream.  He may not always reach his goal, but his direction is onward and upward, while Christians who drift with the current end up soft and flabby.”

 So don’t be a soft and flabby Christian – labor in God’s field.

                                                                                                        Dr. Mike Rouse

What to do: 

✞ God never promised that the Christian life would be easy; but it is very rewarding, so never give up.  Always remember that as a Christian the fight is always upstream.

Patient Persistent Labor

 Bible Reading: James 1:1-12

Key Verse: Verse 4 – “ But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

Key Words: But let patience have her perfect work

There are times we must be patient, that is the context of verse 4; but there is also the time we must work with patience, both of which require persistence.

I recently read about a unique experiment involving a long steel bar and a tiny bottle cork.

In the experiment, the heavy bar was suspended on a slender steel chain from a high ceiling.  Near it hung a cork weighing only four grams, suspended by a thin silk thread.  The cork was pulled back, then released to hit the heavy bar.  Nothing happened.

This was repeated over and over, in a rhythmic pattern.  After several minutes the steel bar still hung motionless.  But then it happened, the cork hit the steel bar and a small tremble occurred.  The cork continued to strike and finally the steel bar began the same slow rhythmic swing as the cork.  The swaying of the cork was stopped but the steel bar continued to swing.

The principle is the same as the relentless drip, drip, drip of water which eventually wears away a rock.  If one has patience they can eventually begin to accomplish things that others thought were impossible.  But you must have both patience and persistence in your labor.

Now, go out and do what others thought you could never do!!!

 

                                                                                                        Dr. Mike Rouse

What to do:  

✞ Always remember, a winner never quits and a quitter never wins.

Excuses

 Bible Reading: Luke 14:12-24

Key Verse: Verse 18 – “And they all with one consent 

 began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.”

Key Words: And they all with one consent began to make excuse

In our text Jesus describes the man who made a great supper, only to find out that one of his guests could not come because he was recently married, another because he had to prove five yoke of oxen, and another who had just purchased a piece of ground, men have apologized as to why they could not follow the Lord (Luke 14:15-20).  And if one is looking for excuses, one is as good as another.

In the early days of the space program, astronauts in training at Cape Kennedy got all kinds of fan mail, much of it from kids.  Frequently these youngsters asked to make space trips – but usually with reservations.  Some typical letters:

“I am interested in space and would like to become an astronaut, but it will have to be on a Saturday as I go to school during the week.”

“I would like to go to the moon with you.  I am not afraid, but if possible I would like to come back, too.”

“I would like to be a space pilot, but I don’t think I can pass the physical because I have fillings in my teeth.”

“I have always wanted to be an astronaut, but thought I couldn’t because of my nearsightedness.  But now I understand space pilots can wear contact lenses.  So as soon as I save up enough money to buy some, I would like to be an astronaut, particularly since I know you will need younger men.  I am only 10.”

There is never an acceptable “excuse” for not laboring in God’s field.  So today, let’s all join in and be laborers together for God’s glory.

 

                                                                                                        Dr. Mike Rouse

What to do:

✞ Pass out tracts.

✞ Tell others about Jesus.

✞ Be an encouragement to others and give God the credit.

Accomplishing What?

 Bible Reading:  Daniel 12

Key Verse: Verse 4 – “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.”

Key Words: many shall run to and fro

Our text is a reference to the second coming of Jesus.  In verse 4 we are given a picture in part of what the last days will be like before Jesus returns: knowledge shall increase, that is certainly a reality today; but also the fact that man will be able to run to and fro – one place to another, one town to another, one state to another, even one country to another.  But with all this running, I must ask: what are we accomplishing for the Kingdom of God?  We spend most of life accomplishing things that mean very little in regard to eternity.  

Reminds me of a cat I recently read about...

“Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat, Where have you been?

I’ve been to London town to see the queen.

Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat, What did you there?

I chased a little mouse under her chair.”

The point is that there were many things to do and see in the big city of London.  But this cat did what she could have done in any barn – chased a mouse under a chair.  The illustrative power rests in this comparison.  Some of us go through life dealing with mere trivialities when we could be moving mountains.  We are content to idle the days by, never measuring up to the full measure of our potential.  And is there any greater loss than to live three score and ten and never accomplish that for which one has every potential and opportunity?

So let me ask: what are you accomplishing in life?  Now really think about it.  What are you really accomplishing in life that has meaning in regard to eternity?  If nothing, why not start today accomplishing some things that really matter!!

                                                                                                            Dr. Mike Rouse

What to do: 

✞ Re-evaluate what you are accomplishing in life and ask yourself, “When I stand before the Lord, will He say well done, thou good and faithful servant?” 

It Melts In Transit

 Bible Reading:  James 4

   Key Verse: Verse 14 – “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

Key Words: vanisheth away  

We surely need to take advantage of the time God has given us to labor for Him.

Robert Hastings tells the following story.

“When I was a boy, we hung a four-cornered card in the window each morning during the summer.  The numbers 25, 50, 75, and 100 were printed in the corners.

“It was our way of telling the iceman how many pounds to bring.  If mother had waxed the kitchen floor, she spread newspapers to catch the dripping water, for ice melts in transit.  You never have as much when you get there as when you start.

“Time, too, melts in transit.  It gets away from us.  You never have as much left when you get where you are going as when you left.  Some people boast about ‘saving’ time.  Hogwash!  Ask anyone to show you the time he ‘saved.’  You can save money, but you won’t save time.  It slips away.  Oh, you can find quicker ways of doing things.  You can cut corners, timewise.  But you won’t hold time back.  You won’t put it in on deepfreeze, or lock it in a vault, or reverse the pages of the calendar.

“James 4:14 reminds us that our life is ‘even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.’  And Psalm 90:6 compares man to the grass which in the morning flourishes, but in the evening is cut down and withered.

“And then the insights of Ecclesiastes 3:1-4, ‘To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.’

 “Yes, time, like ice, melts in transit.  It’s your life!  Use it or misuse it, but you won’t hold on to it – which is what some mean when they say it is better to wear out than to rust out!”

                                                                                                            Dr. Mike Rouse

What to do: 

✞ Take advantage of every second of life, for time is indeed valuable.

Get The Job Done

 Bible Reading: Proverbs 10:1-19

   Key Verse: Verse 19 – “In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.”

Key Words: In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin

I do realize the importance of planning and organization – you know, making sure that every “I” is dotted and every “t” is crossed.  As a matter of fact, I have a saying that goes, “He who fails to plan, simply fails.”  But I realize there is a time to stop talking and get the job done.

Dr. J. B. Gambrel tells an amusing story from General Stonewall Jackson’s famous valley campaign.  Jackson’s army found itself on one side of a river when it needed to be on the other side.  After telling his engineers to plan and build a bridge so the army could cross, he called his wagon master in to tell him that it was urgent the wagon train cross the river as soon as possible.  The wagon master started gathering all the logs, rocks and fence rails he could find and built a bridge.  Long before daylight General Jackson was told by his wagon master all the wagons and artillery had crossed the river.  General Jackson asked where are the engineers and what are they doing?  The wagon master’s only reply was that they were in their tent drawing up plans for a bridge.

There is a time to talk, but there is also a time to stop talking and take action.

 

                                                                                                                Dr. Mike Rouse

What to do: 

✞ Always plan, but don’t take forever.

A Slower Group

 Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:25 – 6:1

Key Verse: Verses 25 & 1 – “ Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” (25)   “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.” (1)

Key Words: husbands, love your wives (25); children, obey your parents (1)

Now we all know the importance of a good day’s work and doing our best while on the job; but have you ever considered that your family is also “your job?”

Douglas MacArthur, II, nephew of the famous WWII general, served in the State Department when John Foster Dulles was Secretary of State.  One evening Mr. Dulles called MacArthur at his home.  His wife answered the phone and explained that her husband was not there.  Not recognizing who the caller was, she angrily complained, “MacArthur is where MacArthur always is, weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and nights – in that office!”  Within minutes Dulles had MacArthur on the phone.  He gave him this terse order:  “Go home at once, Boy.  Your home front is crumbling.”

A first-grader became curious because her father brought home a briefcase full of papers every evening.  Her mother explained, “Daddy has so much to do that he won’t finish it all at the office.  That’s why he has to bring work home at night.”  “Well then,” replied the child innocently, “why don’t they put him in a slower group?”

Think about it!!!

 

                                                                                                                    Dr. Mike Rouse

What to do: 

✞ Remember, your family is your job as well.

The Culinary and Ulcer Club

 Bible Reading:  Ecclesiastes 4

    Key Verse: Verse 8 – “There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.”

Key Words: yet is there no end of all his labour

Those who know me, know that I expect and appreciate a solid day’s work from employees; but I have come to realize over the years that every employee needs time to “unwind,” time to spend with their children and grandchildren.  I’ve also come to realize the need for rest, not slothfulness, but rest.  I read the following recently.  It is nine rules for being a member of The Coronary and Ulcer Club.

1. Your job comes first; forget everything else.
2. Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays are fine times to be working in the office.  No one will bother you on these days.
3. Always carry your briefcase with you.  You never know when you can get in a few minutes’ work.
4. Never say no to a request.
5. Accept all invitations to meetings, banquets, etc.
6. All forms of recreation are a waste of good working time.
7. Never delegate responsibility to others, carry the entire work load yourself.
8. If your work calls for traveling, work all day and then you can travel all night to make that 8:00 A.M. meeting.
9. No matter how many jobs you are already doing, remember you can always do one more.

 Work is good, but time for your family is also needed.

                                                                                                Dr. Mike Rouse

What to do:  

✞ Learn to prioritize your schedule:

Necessary things,

Needy things,

Nice things.

✞ Organize your time and you’ll be surprised what you can accomplish, both at work and at home.

No Works Required

 Bible Reading: Titus 3

Key Verse: Verse 5 – “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”

Key Words: Not by works

The Word of God is clear that we are to be laborers for God, and while we are to be God’s workmanship and perform good works, salvation is free and requires no work at all.  The work of salvation was done by and through Jesus Christ.

I read about an instant cake mix that was a big flop.  The instructions said all you had to do was add water and bake.  The company couldn’t understand why it didn’t sell – until their research discovered that the buying public felt uneasy about a mix that required only water.  Apparently people thought it was too easy.  So the company altered the formula and changed the directions to call for adding an egg to the mix in addition to the water.  The idea worked and sales jumped dramatically.

That story reminds me of how some people react to the plan of salvation.  To them it sounds too easy and simple to be true, even though the Bible says, “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast”  [Ephesians 2:8-9]. They feel that there is something more they must do, something they must add to God’s “recipe” for salvation.  They think they must perform good works to gain God’s favor and earn eternal life.  But the Bible is clear – we are saved, “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy” [Titus 3:5].  Unlike the cake mix manufacturer, God has not changed “His formula” to make salvation more marketable.  The gospel we proclaim must be free of works, even though it may sound too easy.

Have you accepted God’s Word for salvation through Jesus Christ?  If not, why not today?

 

                                                                                                        Dr. Mike Rouse

What to do:  

✞ Call us and we’ll be overjoyed to tell you how you can be born again.

Priorities

 Bible Reading: Proverbs 23:1-12

   Key Verse: Verse 4 – “Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.”

Key Words: Labour not to be rich

The following article was sent to Ann Landers and is quite revealing.

“Once upon a time, there was a bright young man who decided to become rich and successful.  So he studied very hard in college, got an M.B.A., and went to work in a prestigious firm.

“Since most successful businessmen in the land had beautiful wives, he went out and got himself one.  He bought his ‘Christina’ a lovely home in the suburbs.  In return for beautiful clothes and elegant jewels, she was a dutiful wife who devoted herself to their children.  She never saw much of her rich, successful husband who worked long hours and stayed out late at night, sharing wine and expensive meals with potential clients in order to cultivate good connections.  There were rumors that he was seen dining with attractive women in the business world.

“Meanwhile, Christina was growing more lonely and disconnected.  One day, after looking at the emptiness of her life, she decided to go back to college and have a career.  After watching her husband, she knew she didn’t want to be rich and successful.  She was hungry for something much deeper and more meaningful.

“Something in Christina awakened as she gained new knowledge.  And lo and behold, one day in class, her eyes locked with those of a handsome man who was also looking for something that would give more meaning to his life.  He was tired of the demands of the business world, and like our heroine, he wanted something deeper.

“After a year of contemplation, Christina divorced her husband (who to this day is baffled but busy) and married the nice man in her class.  He became a good stepfather to her children, who were delighted to have a man to spend time with, and he always came home from work in time for a family dinner.  They weren’t rich, but they lived happily ever after.  The End.   ~A Faithful Reader in Michigan”

Life is not about money, but about Christ and teaching our families that He (Christ) is to be pre-eminent.

 

                                                                                                        Dr. Mike Rouse

What to do: 

✞ Evaluate your priorities.

Thoughts on Labor or Lack of It

 Bible Reading: Proverbs 21

Key Verse: Verse 25 – “The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.”

   Key Words: for his hands refuse to labour

As I studied and read for thoughts and articles this month’s Refreshing Daily, I have come across some tidbits of information, so I thought I would share them with you.  For example, did you know that every week across America 50,000 people quit their jobs, according to R. Huseman Hatfield?

India’s Ghandi once said, “My grandfather once told me that there are two kinds of people: those who do the work and those who get the credit.  He told me to be in the first group, there’s less competition there.”

The average American has held eight jobs by the age of 40. ~ The Complete Harper’s Index

The average employee spends 14.9 minutes a day making personal phone calls.  On an annual basis that adds up to 62 work hours a year or a week and a half. 

 ~ Success Magazine

There are three kinds of workers.  For example, when a piano is to be moved, the first kind gets behind the piano and pushes, the second pulls and guides, and the third grabs the piano stool.~ Source Unknown

A retired friend became interested in the construction of an addition to a shopping mall.  Observing the activity regularly, he was especially impressed by the conscientious operator of a large piece of equipment.  The day finally came when my friend had a chance to tell this man how much he’d enjoyed watching his scrupulous work.  Looking astonished, the operator replied, “You’re not the supervisor?”

~  Howard A Stein in Reader’s Digest

                                                                                                        Dr. Mike Rouse

What to do: 

✞ Never stop looking for work after you find a job.

✞ Work to please God more than men.

Hard Work Also

 Bible Reading: Exodus 20:1-11

   Key Verse: Verse 9 – “Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:”

Key Words: Six days shalt thou labour

As has been mentioned before in this month’s devotion, the word labor means to toil.

Success comes by God’s grace and prayer, but hard work also.

Executives from two hundred of the nation’s largest companies were asked, “Of the successful people you have met over the years, which of the following is the main reason for their success?”

1. Contacts
2. Determination
3. Hard work
4. Knowledge
5. Luck

In response 40% of these high-powered executives indicated success was due to hard work and 38% said determination.  So 78% of those who have succeeded in their professions said people achieve success through hard work and determination.  We all have a tendency to look for a “magic bullet” that will give us immediate results.  But in reality success comes from God, grace, prayer, and hard work – because that is God’s plan!!

 

                                                                                                        Dr. Mike Rouse

What to do: 

✞ Pray hard but work hard as well.